Nadal back in Wimbledon quarter-finals

Rafael Nadal has joined Roger Federer in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, raising hopes of another titanic title decider a decade after the duo's so-called match of the century.

The top-ranked Nadal bludgeoned 37 winners to take down unseeded Czech Jiri Vesely 6-3 6-3 6-4 and reach the last eight for the first time in seven years.

"The overall goal is try to win the tournament," the great Spaniard said.

"Of course, it is important for me to be in these quarter-finals. Is true has been a while since I have been in that position.

"At the same time, I have been in that position a couple of times in my career.

"We are not talking about already that I played a final or I won the tournament. We are talking about I am in quarter-finals. That, of course, is a positive result.

"When I arrive here, my goal is to do the things the right way, to try to give me chances to compete well. Sometimes the things works better, sometimes worse."

The world No.1 and reigning French Open champion also extended his grand slam streak to 11 matches to book an appointment on Wednesday with either Argentine fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro or veteran Frenchman Gilles Simon.

Del Potro was leading Simon two sets to one - 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 - when their fourth-round match was suspended under fading light.

Nadal denied Federer 9-7 in the final set of their epic Wimbledon final 10 years ago and the two living legends - who have shared the past six grand slam trophies in an extraordinary renaissance - are now only two wins each from another dream meeting on the sport's greatest stage.

"If he's in the final, I am excited to play Roger," Nadal said.

"It will be a good result for me. Facing Roger again will be something fantastic."

Like Federer, who earlier beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-0 7-5 6-4, Nadal is through to the last eight without dropping a set.

"I am just enjoying every single today I play here. It's a very positive four matches for me," he said.